Angled plant material transporter

ABSTRACT

An angled plant material transporter having a horizontal concave platform angled to elevate plant material contained in a plant material container. The angled horizontal concave platform is connected to an angled upright back platform and to upright side platforms to secure the plant material container securely and at an angle. A recessed platform is attached to the angled horizontal concave platform to receive and hold plant material debris and liquid that may fall from the plant material container above. The angled plant material transporter has a lock mechanism to secure more than one angled plant material transporter together along with a plurality of side and back openings to facilitate moving, lifting, and transporting plant material containers. The angled plant material transporter has an underside cavity that facilitates stacking more than one angled plant material transporter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/131,625, filed Jun. 11, 2008 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This application generally relates to transporting plant material containers, specifically to an angled plant material transporter.

2. Prior Art

Transporting items within moving vehicles creates distinct problems for those items being transported if not secured. Garden center and plant nursery customers commonly transport plant material purchases from the garden center and plant nursery to the home within vehicles and within truck beds. Commercial landscapers transport nursery plant material within truck beds and trailers. Plant material containers are placed within the vehicle and within truck beds and trailers in a vertical position and a horizontal position for transport. Plant material containers placed vertically within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers did not stay stable and fell over, rolled, spilled their contents, and damaged plant material branches, leaves, and blossoms. Plant material containers placed horizontally within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers rolled, spilled their contents, and damaged plant material branches, leaves, and blossoms.

Thereafter, inventors created several types of plant material transporters to keep plants stable while transporting. Many patents are in the field of floral deliveries of small to medium sized plant material. Other patents are in the field of horticulture and small potted plant material transport. U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,204 to Castleberry (2000) discloses a fragile articles transporter. This invention allows for transportation of fragile articles within a substantially rigid base in an upright manner. The plant material is pressed into flexible foam opening to keep plant material stable. While it may transport small plant material in a stable way, it does not solve the problem of transporting larger, taller plant material containers in the approximate range of a 5 (five) gallon plant material container that cannot fit upright and vertical within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,399 to Beckwith (1998) discloses a tray carrier having multiple shelves to transport trays of small bedding plants. The shelves have a ramp-like manner above a horizontal base which allows bedding plant trays to be placed within each tray for transport. Although it does help deter damage to plant material, it does not address transporting larger, taller plant material containers that do not fit upright and vertical within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers.

Garden centers and plant nurseries wrap plant containers in plastic bags to eliminate debris and liquid. Plastic bags become loose, slippery, and untidy.

Thereafter, inventors created plant material bags to keep plants from spilling debris and liquid from the plant container. U.S. patent 2006/0059775 A1 to L'Estrange (2006) discloses a bag for transporting potted plants. This bag is extended up and around the plant material container and secured with a draw string to cover enclose the plant material container within the bag for transporting. Although the bag addresses the problem of debris and spillage from the plant material container, it does not address transporting larger, taller plant material containers within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers. The bagged potted plant would still be needed to be placed either vertical or horizontal within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer. The bagged potted plant would still not be stable and secure keeping it from falling and rolling causing damage to plant material.

Garden centers and plant nurseries set plant material containers in cardboard boxes to stabilize and contain plant material debris in transport.

Thereafter, inventors created several types of containers to stabilize and contain plant material in transport. Most cardboard boxes used in this way are for the floral industry and for delivery of floral arrangements and cut flowers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,658 to Neiser (1978) discloses a cardboard folding carrier for transporting potted plants. This device transports potted plants in the upright, vertical position. The potted plant is placed within the cardboard carrier in an upright, vertical manner. Although this potted plant carrier does hold plants upright for transporting, it does not address transporting larger, taller potted plants and larger, taller plant material within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,353 B2 to Levieux and Rouse (2003) discloses an apparatus and method for securing a vase upon a car seat. The vase is placed within the opening and the flat cardboard panel is inserted between the car seat back and seat for stability in transporting. Although this devise addressed stability of transporting vases upon a car seat, it does not address the problem of transporting larger, taller plant material containers within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer.

Although some of the invented plant material transporters solve a specific problem for smaller, upright standing plant material during transportation and some solve a specific problem of spillage from plant material containers, they do not solve the problem jointly and completely. The invented plant transporters, carriers, and plant material bags do not solve the problem of transporting larger, taller plant material that does not fit upright and standing within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer. They also do not solve the problem together of spillage of plant material debris and liquid, nor do they solve the problem of plant material damage to branches, leaves, and blossoms when transporting larger, taller plant material.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my present invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide a superior way to transport larger, taller plant         material securely within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers         without damaging plant material and without soiling vehicle,         truck bed, and trailer floors.     -   (b) to provide a way to transport larger, taller plant material         within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers without damage from         falling and rolling to branches, leaves, and blossoms.     -   (c) to provide a way to secure plant material containers at a         horizontal angle keeping plant material and plant material         container off the floor and free from damage.     -   (d) to provide a way to contain plant material debris and liquid         from falling onto vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floors.     -   (e) to provide a unique shape and utility constructed from rigid         materials to transport plant material containers.     -   (f) to provide a way for humans to move, lift, and transport         larger, taller plant material containers easily.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and drawings of the angled plant material transporter.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an angled plant material transporter comprises a receptacle having a horizontal concave platform angled to elevate plant material contained in a plant material container. The angled horizontal concave platform is connected to an angled upright back platform and to upright side platforms to secure the plant material container securely and at an angle.

The angled plant material transporter comprises a recessed platform or recessed tray to receive and hold plant material debris and liquid that may fall from the plant material container above.

The angled plant material transporter comprises a lock mechanism to secure more than one receptacle together.

The angled plant material transporter comprises a plurality of side and back openings or handgrips to facilitate lifting, moving, and transporting the angled plant material transporter.

The angled plant material transporter comprises an underside cavity configured to facilitate stacking of one and more receptacles.

The angled plant material transporter may be constructed of one and more selected from the group of plastics, paper boards, and other rigid materials.

The angled plant material transporter may also be configured using rigid paper board and other rigid materials by folding a blank of rigid material into said rigid angled plant material transporter by cuts and depressions for folding while retaining the shape and utility of the angled plant material transporter.

The rigid paper board concave platform is configured of at least approximately two concave paper board flaps having predetermined concave cuts to elevate said plant materials contained in plant material container, and wherein said concave flaps having predetermined length, height, and width to accept said plant material container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an angled plant material transporter according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an angled plant material transporter with a plant material container inside angled plant material transporter to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of angled plant material transporter and area cross section A-A according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view through section A-A of angled plant material transporter shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows a back and side view of an angled plant material transporter according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an underside view of an angled plant material transporter according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a flat view of a foldable rigid angled plant material transporter according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a foldable rigid angled plant material transporter according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an angled plant material transporter in use within a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the angled plant material transporter is illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an angled plant material transporter 100 comprises of an angled horizontal concave platform 106 which holds a plant material container 120 and other containers having a cylindrical shape horizontally at an angle.

An angled upright back platform 108 is connected to the angled horizontal concave platform 106 giving angled support to the plant material container 120. Upright side platforms 104 are connected to the angled upright back platform 108 and to the angled horizontal concave platform 106. The angled back platform 108 in combination with the upright side platforms 104 configure a receptacle around the angled horizontal concave platform 106 for the plant material container 120 to rest in. The connected angled upright back platform 108, the upright side platforms 104, and the angled horizontal concave platform 106 configure a receptacle for plant material container 120 to sit at a horizontal, angled position allowing the plant material container 120 to sit at an elevated position within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer keeping plant material 122 off vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floors.

A recessed platform 110 or recessed tray is connected to the angled horizontal concave platform 106. The recessed platform 110 allows for plant material debris and liquid 124 to be received from the plant material container 120 which sits above the recessed platform 110. The recessed platform 110 is of predetermined length, width, and depth to allow plant material debris and liquid 124 to be captured and retained in the recessed platform 110.

A plurality of openings 112 or handgrips allow movement, lifting, and transporting of the angled plant material transporter 100. Openings 112 or handgrips placed at the sides and back facilitate moving, lifting, transporting by humans within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers, as well as, outside vehicles, truck beds, and trailers.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an angled plant material transporter 100 shows a plant material container 120 resting inside the angled horizontal concave platform 106 at a horizontal, angled position above the floor. The recessed platform 110 or recessed tray catches falling debris and liquid from the plant material container 120. The plant material container 120 is held securely at a horizontal, angled position allowing easy transport of larger, taller plant material 122 within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers without tipping, rolling, and spilling its contents throughout vehicle, truck bed, and trailer interiors. These larger, taller plant materials 122 can be carried within vehicles, truck beds and trailers where otherwise they would not fit into vehicles, truck beds, and trailers standing vertically and upright.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an angled plant material transporter 100 shows the area cross section of the angled horizontal concave platform 106, angled upright back platform 108, and recessed platform 110. FIG. 2B shows the cross section of the angles of the angled horizontal concave platform 106, and the angled upright back platform 108 which are of a predetermined angle to elevate the plant material container 120 at a horizontal angle within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers.

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, lock mechanism 102 and lock mechanism 126 configured such that lock mechanism 102 connects over lock mechanism 126 connecting more than one angled plant material transporter. Any number of lock mechanism shapes and configurations may be used to facilitate locking more than one angled plant material transporters 100 together. Locking more than one angled plant material transporter 100 together creates overall stability.

Referring to FIG. 4, underside of angled plant material transporter 100, a cavity 114 is shown on the underside of the angled plant material transporter 100 which facilitates stacking or nesting of angled plant material transporter 100 when not in use. The cavity 114 is of predetermined area to accommodate the top side of the angled plant material transporter 100. Stacking or nesting the angled plant material transporter facilitates storage of the angled plant material transporter 100 when not in use.

The angled plant material transporter 100 can be constructed of more than one of the selected from the group of plastics, paper board, and other rigid materials using various methods of construction.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an angled plant material transporter 100 using a blank of rigid, bendable material like paper board with depressions and cuts for folding configured in the same shape and same utility. FIG. 5A shows the blank with depressions 132 and cuts 134 for fold up assembly. FIG. 5B shows the folded and assembled rigid material angled plant material transporter 100 which is configured with two concave flaps that turn upward creating the angled concave platform 106 together with the upright side platforms 104 and angled back platform 108. The plant material container is held securely at a horizontal, angled position allowing easy transport of larger, taller plant material within vehicles, truck beds, and trailers.

A recessed platform 110 is connected to the angled concave platform 106. The recessed platform 110 allows for debris and liquid to be received from the plant material container which sits above the recessed platform 110.

A plurality of openings 112 or handgrips aid in moving, lifting, and transporting angled plant material transporter 100.

FIG. 6 shows the angled plant material transporter 100 in use within a vehicle 140 sitting on the interior vehicle floor board 142 of the vehicle 140. Larger, taller plant material 122 is held securely in place and at a horizontal angle keeping the plant material container 120 and plant material 122 above the vehicle floor board 142. This horizontal angle keeps the plant material container 120 and plant material 122 free from touching the interior vehicle floor board 142. The plant material 122 does not fall and roll and stays secure and undamaged in the angled plant material transporter 100. The plant material 122 is undamaged because it stays secure within the angled plant material transporter 100. Any debris and liquid 124 from the plant material container 120 falls into the recessed platform 110 or recessed tray. A plurality of openings 112 or handgrips assist the human in lifting, moving, and transporting the plant material container 120 using the angled plant material transporter 100.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of my angled plant material transporter become evident:

-   -   (a) Because many taller, larger plant material cannot fit         vertically within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer, and damage         occurs to plant material when driven in windy open truck beds         and trailers, the angled plant material transporter solves the         problem of fit and damage by allowing plant material containers         to be laid down horizontally at a predetermined angle keeping         plant material stable and, at the same time, off vehicle, truck         bed, and trailer floors.     -   (b) Taller, larger plant material can now be transported within         a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer by laying the plant material         containers horizontally at a predetermined angle so that the         plant material stays secure without tipping, rolling, and         damaging plant material. The angled plant material transporter         allows the human to transport many more plants within a vehicle,         truck bed, and trailer due to the orderly manner in which plant         material can now be transported. More than one angled plant         material transporters can be locked together keeping all angled         plant material transporters and plant material containers firmly         stable and secure.     -   (c) The angled plant material transporter eliminates broken         plant material which would normally occur when plant material is         allowed to lie on the vehicle floor. It also eliminates damage         caused by tipping and rolling about caused by being unstable         within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer. The angled plant         material transporter keeps plant material containers elevated         and stable keeping plant material from damage.     -   (d) The recessed platform or recessed tray received and catches         debris and liquid that may fall from the plant material         container. Containing the debris and liquid within the recessed         platform eliminates that debris and liquid from falling onto         vehicles, truck beds, and trailers interiors and floors keeping         them clean.     -   (e) The angled plant material transporter enables a human to         easily move, lift, and transport plant material containers from         vehicles, truck beds, and trailers by using a plurality of         openings or handgrips. The handgrips allow for ease of carrying         and weight distribution while carrying plant material.     -   (f) The hollow cavity on the underside of the angled plant         material transporter facilitates stacking for ease in storage         when not in use.

In conclusion, the angled plant material transporter enables a human to get plant material within plant material containers easily from the garden center or plant nursery easily and securely within a vehicle, truck bed, and trailer without damage to the plant material and without soiling vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floors. The human can also secure several angled plant transporters together within the vehicle, truck bed, and trailer for further stability of plant material when transporting more than one plant material container. The human can also move, lift, and transport plant material from vehicles, truck beds, and trailers using the plurality of openings or handgrips making transporting plant material trouble-free. 

1. Angled plant material transporter comprising: a receptacle configured to receive plant material container; a horizontal concave platform configured at an angle connected to upright side platforms to elevate said plant material contained in plant material container; an upright back platform configured at an angle connected to said angled horizontal concave platform to support said plant material container; a recessed platform configured to receive and hold plant material debris and liquid; a lock mechanism configured to connect at least more than one said receptacle together; an opening having a plurality on sides and back of said receptacle configured to facilitate movement, lift, and transport of said receptacle; an underside cavity configured to facilitate stacking of one and more said receptacles.
 2. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angled horizontal concave platform within said receptacle having a predetermined angle to elevate said plant material contained in plant material container, and wherein said angled horizontal concave platform having a predetermined length and width to accept said plant material container.
 3. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connected upright side platforms having a predetermined length, height, and width to accept said plant material container.
 4. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upright back platform having a predetermined angle to support said plant material container connected to said angled horizontal concave platform.
 5. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recessed platform is a recessed tray having a predetermined length, width, and depth at least large enough to receive debris and liquid from plant material container above said recessed platform.
 6. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism configured at least more than one lock mechanism shape to accept and connect more than one said plant material transporter together.
 7. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening having a plurality is a handgrip configured in such a way as to facilitate movement, lift, and transport of said receptacle.
 8. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle configured to stack upon each other.
 9. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle having predetermined dimensions to hold various sized plant material containers.
 10. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein constructed of one and more selected from the group of plastics, paper boards, and other rigid materials.
 11. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plant material container is easily transported at an angle above said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floor allowing larger, taller plant material to be transported within said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer, whereby said plant material debris and liquid is contained within said recessed receptacle, whereby said plant material container is easily moved, lifted, and transported by handgrips, whereby said angled plant material transporter is locked together for stability, and whereby said plant material container is stacked for storage when not in use.
 12. Rigid paper board angled plant material transporter comprising: a rigid paper board receptacle configured in such a way that said paper board formed and folded in succession along depressions and cut out areas to configure said receptacle shape and utility of said angled plant material transporter; a rigid paper board receptacle configured to hold at least approximately a 5 gallon plant material container at an angle to elevate said plant material in plant material container; a rigid paper board concave platform configured of at least approximately two concave paper board flaps having predetermined concave cuts to elevate said plant materials contained in plant material container, and wherein said concave flaps having predetermined length, height, and width to accept said plant material container; a rigid paper board plurality of upright platforms to support said plant material container; a rigid paper board recessed platform or recessed tray having a predetermined length, width, and depth at least large enough to receive debris and liquid from plant material container above said recessed platform; a rigid paper board opening having a plurality at sides configured in such a way as to facilitate movement, lift, and transport of said receptacle.
 13. The rigid paper board angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 12, wherein said receptacle material is composed of rigid paper board and other materials that retain the shape and utility of said angled plant material transporter.
 14. The rigid paper board angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 12, wherein constructed from a blank of rigid material into said rigid angled plant material transporter by depressions and cuts for folding.
 15. The rigid paper board angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plant material container is easily transported at an angle above said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floor allowing larger, taller plant material to be transported within said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer, whereby said plant material debris and liquid is contained within said recessed receptacle, whereby said plant material container is easily moved, lifted, and transported by handgrips.
 16. Angled material transporter comprising: a receptacle configured to receive a container having a cylindrical shape; a horizontal concave platform within said receptacle configured at an angle to elevate said cylindrical container; an upright back platform connected to said horizontal concave platform configured at an angle to support said cylindrical container; a recessed platform configured to receive and hold debris and liquid; a lock mechanism configured to connect at least more than one said receptacle together; an opening having a plurality on sides and back of said receptacle configured to facilitate movement, lift, and transport of said receptacle; an underside cavity configured to facilitate stacking of one and more said receptacles.
 17. The angled material transporter as claimed in claim 16, wherein constructed of one and more selected from the group of plastics, paper boards, and other rigid materials.
 18. The angled plant material transporter as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plant material container is easily transported at an angle above said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer floor allowing larger, taller plant material to be transported within said vehicle, truck bed, and trailer, whereby said plant material debris and liquid is contained within said recessed receptacle, whereby said plant material container is easily moved, lifted, and transported by handgrips, whereby said angled plant material transporter is locked together for stability, and whereby said plant material container is stacked for storage when not in use. 